194 HEXANDRiA MONOGYNIA. Bamhusa. 



The root consists of many small fibres, spreading in 

 every direction, but to no great distance, nor do they pe- 

 netrate very deep. 



The roots of all the other species are similar. 



Stems in old plants numerous from the same root, joint- 

 ed, smooth, and ramous. In the month of June, soon 

 after the first rains set in, new ones rise up amongst those 

 of the former year and in the same manner in all the o- 

 ther species, at first in the form of a large straight eh- 

 phanfs tusk, invested in strong coriaceous sheaths, one 

 at each joint ; these shoots rise simple to their full size, 

 from twenty to seventy feet in height, and from six to 

 twelve inches ih circumference, in the course of about 

 thirty days ; during which period the sheaths drop off, 

 and are soon succeeded by numerous, alternate, ramous, 

 bifarious, unarmed branches, from the joints ; before these 

 appear, the shoots look like as many naked fishing rods, 

 of immense size. Leaves alternate, bifarious, subsessile, 

 sheathing, linear-lanceolate, acute-pointed, with their 

 bases broad, and often rounded, or cordate ; from six to 

 twelve inches long, and about one broad. Sheaths of 

 the leaves longer than the joints, and ending in two, late- 

 ral, stipulary, bearded processes. 



Inflorescence. Before these trees blossom, they must be 

 of considerable age, several years ; and even then it is 

 seldom they can be found in this state ; at that period 

 the whole plant is destitute of leaves, and forms one im- 

 mensely, oblong, waving panicle, composed of innumera- 

 ble, supra-decompound ramifications. 



Spikelets lanceolate, sessile, one, two, three, or more at 

 the joints of the most extreme ramifications ; each bear- 

 ing from four to eight, (generally all,) hermaphrodite 

 flowers. Calyx calycled, as in the other species describ- 

 ed by me. Coral two-valved. Exterior valve oblong, 

 pointed, smooth, completely involving the inner valve, 

 us well as a portion of the flat rachis in which it is in- 



